Photographer: MARIA UGLOVA @uglova_maria
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: @skazka_makeup
Fashion Designer: @exclusivedresses_official
Model: Agency @sigma_spbTo begin, where are you based? How long has photography been a hobby and career of yours? What motivated you to get started?
I live in Russia, in St. Petersburg. In the last grades of school I became interested in photography, took pictures of my sister, dogs, nature with a simple camera. After school I entered the University of Culture and Arts specializing in film directing and photography. Since then I have been doing photography for over 10 years, this is my main hobby and work.
What is your dream in terms of your career?
Now I am trying to develop in the direction of wedding photography the last year I have devoted myself to this. My dream is to shoot spectacular and at the same time soulful weddings with thoughtful details, I dream of starting to shoot weddings abroad.
What has been your most successful moment to date in your career so far?
This wedding season or rather this summer was my most successful during my work in photography, I shot many very beautiful weddings and replenished my portfolio with a lot of beautiful shots!
Has your vision and style evolved or changed over time?
Of course, in 10 years in photography, my style has changed a lot for the better! I try to grow creatively, in the last two years I began to do many creative projects in order to shoot for the soul, what I like and fill my portfolio with interesting photo shoots. I also noticed how much my approach to the process of photography has changed, how my vision of frame building and communication with clients has changed! I became much more self-confident during the photo shoot, I know what I want to shoot, I know what to tell clients, how to help them relax during the photo shoot and help with posing. I also see how the quality of my work and processing has changed for the better, now I really like what I do! But of course I know what I want to do better, I want more from myself in terms of photography.
What type of models do you prefer to shoot with? Why?
Of course, I love taking pictures of ordinary people, with real emotions and relationships, I try to help them relax on the set, so that they look sincere in photographs. But if we talk about creative filming, of course for them I choose models from the agency for a specific shooting style and image and when choosing for me the most important thing is that my face inspires me! Looking at the Model Portfolio, I immediately understand whether I see this model in that image in the shooting that I plan, whether I want to shoot this face or not. There must be something in the look and face of the model that will catch and inspire me!
Can you please explain some of the feelings you are trying to achieve in your photographs?
When I plan a shoot, think over a style, or take photos at a wedding, it is very important for me that there is something unusual, original in these photos, due to the idea, light, emotions, the image of the model or location. It is important for me that the photo catches the viewer's eye, evokes emotions.
Fashion can be a somewhat unforgiving industry with a lot of egos, how do you deal with it on set or behind the scenes?
Of course I try to follow fashion trends in photography, but I still shoot what I like, how I see it and like it. I shoot something that is close to me in spirit, my aesthetics, which gives me creative satisfaction.
How has photography influenced you as a person and what do you love most about being a photographer?
Since I started photography my outlook on the world around me has really changed a lot! I notice beauty everywhere, I notice some interesting and original details. I cannot pass by the beautiful view without taking a picture at least on my phone. It seems to me that when traveling, I perceive everything I see through the frames that I see in my imagination. I think I remember all the beauty that surrounds me when traveling through photographs.
From your point of view, what makes the shoot successful?
What I like most in my profession is the endless creative inspiration that always arises inside me unexpectedly. I also really like freedom - I am free in my creative self-expression, I am free to decide for myself when I can go somewhere, I can plan my time myself. For many years I worked as a videographer in a sports club. It was work with a very strict discipline, where I could not express myself as a creative person. I had a vacation only once a year and I could go on trips only once a year, it was very difficult, because travel for me is the main inspiration. I could not shoot weddings, because the client plans such shooting in advance, and I did not know if I would even be in my city at that time.
What projects are you working on next, and what are your goals for the future?
Now I am trying to develop in wedding photography, my main goal is to shoot more sophisticated, stylish, soulful weddings that are inspiring!
Where can we see more of your works and get connected with you?
More of my work can be seen on my Instagram @uglova_maria and on my website uglovamariaphoto.com